John "Art" Arthur Ries

John Arthur Ries (Art) passed away May 2, 2024, at Terraces at Summitview (Living Care), after a very brief illness. Art lived a long and full life of 100 years. He had enjoyed a lively family dinner and celebration for his 100th birthday.

John Arthur Ries (Art Ries) was born October 17, 1923, in Toppenish, Washington, to John Arthur Ries, Sr, and Mabel L. Davidson. He spent his early years helping his family run their farm, with responsibilities that became increasingly significant as his father became incapacitated due to a hip problem.

Art was a graduate of Washington State University in Pullman. While attending college, he worked for the college radio station, doing a daily agriculture report, the proceeds from which helped him pay for college. After graduating, Art travelled to Israel as part of an International Farm Youth Exchange (IFYE). This cultural experience was pivotal for Art and influenced him for the rest of his life.

After his return from Israel, Art became a county extension agent in Clark County, Idaho. During this time, he met the love of his life, Margaret Faust, at square dancing, and became her square-dancing partner, driving forty miles each way to pick her up and bring her home. Margaret was a graduate of the University of Idaho and worked as a school teacher. They married on October 2, 1955, in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Art and Margaret began their married life in Newport, Washington, where Art worked as a county extension agent, and later moved to Ephrata, Washington. Art went on to earn a master’s degree. They started their family and had four children: Donna, Debbie, Allen, and Gerry, later moving their family to Selah, Washington in 1965.

Their home in Selah was a hub of activity as their children grew; Art and Margaret led 4-H groups, and the kids played musical instruments and took part in sports such as swim team and track. Friends poured through the doors and often joined the family at the dinner table. Art and Margaret valued education and community involvement and built their busy lives around these values.

Art was active in Barbershop singing and sang for the Valley of the Sun Chorus and various quartets for over fifty years. He and Margaret were members of Selah Heights Grange, and members of the Central Lutheran Church, where Art sang in the church choir. Art and Margaret brought their children up in the church, and the church was an anchor of their family life.

For several decades, Art and Margaret opened their home to extended family for a yearly reunion on Labor Day weekend. This helped to keep the extended family close and in touch with each other.

Art was a life-long learner and spent time on his computer writing newsletters, making spreadsheets, and following his grandchildren on social media well into his late nineties.

Toward the end of his life, Art lived at the Terraces at Summitview and made good friends there with other residents and staff. Art was a good listener. He was also known to break out in song, serenading those around him. He was able to remember the lyrics from a multitude of songs. Art was a caring grandparent and a pillar in the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Art’s last great granddaughter was born 100 years after he was born.

Art was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, his siblings: Bonita (infant), Delvina, Tina, Edla, and Bill. He is survived by his children: Donna Wischman (Don), Allen Ries (Melody), Debbie Steidel (Tim), Gerry Ries (LeAnne); his grandchildren: Lisa, Carolyn, Angela, Nathan, David, Ethan, and Elliot; and his great-grandchildren: Victoria, Chance, Caine, Zachary, Milo, Malcolm, and Ava.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at The Terraces at Summitview.

There will be a celebration of Art’s life at Keith and Keith Funeral Home, 902 W Yakima Ave, Yakima, WA 98902, on August 31, 2024 at 1:00 pm.